Since 2008, Health[e]Foundation is providing sexual education to the students at the American School of The Hague (ASH) in The Netherlands. This year, our team facilitated workshops around sexuality and relationships for around 100 students between 15-16 year old.
The Health[e]Living 4 Schools program aims to advance gender equality and empowers young people to explore their own identities. This enables them to protect their (sexual) health, allowing to make meaningful and responsible choices. The workshops focus on awareness of gender and sexual identities and equality, LGBTQIA+ community; healthy relationships based on mutual consent; the role social media plays in our (sexual) relationships; and safer sex, including activities on how to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.
The workshops include engaging activities and topics that are highly relevant for ASH students who evaluated the Health[e]Living 4 Schools program very positively. Most students stressed that they appreciate the fact that class sessions are interactive and reflect and echo diversities and identities. Discussing these topics with their peers made them more aware of each others perspectives and opened their eyes for the different identities which people may have. Moreover, practicing with the use of condoms was found to be – even though awkward at times – very useful, just like learning about other types of contraceptive methods.
‘The activities were fun, it wasn’t just theoretical, I learned a lot of new stuff’
-ASH Student
Before the workshop, students were able to send in their specific questions for a Q&A session. The Q&A session’s success stemmed from providing a safe and anonymous platform for the students to inquire about sexuality, fostering a supportive environment for dialogue and learning during the workshop. The Q&A session effectively addressed the majority of participants’ concerns and inquiries regarding sexuality.
We are grateful to facilitate these yearly workshops at the American School of The Hague to empower young people in Dutch schools with sexual education workshops, as part of our mission to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally. Our Health[e]Living 4 Schools program brings a positive impact on the lives of young people and is ready to be used and adapted to the needs of students. In case you would be interested in running this program at your school, do not hesitate to contact us at info@healthefoundation.eu!